Dental floss dispensing case

ABSTRACT

A storing and dispensing pocket-type case for a roll of withdrawable dental tape. The case is hollow and embodies spaced parallel walls having outer marginal edges joined by an encircling rim. The outer peripheral surface of the rim is provided with first and second outstanding annular ribs. These ribs have inward edges spaced apart a prerequisite distance to define an intervening annular channel of requisite width and depth. A predetermined portion of the bottom of the channel is provided with a transverse dispensing slot through which the free withdrawable end of the tape is accessible. At a circumferentially spaced point a clip is confined in the channel and is provided with a struck-out tongue. This tongue is nested within the confines of the channel and provides a safeguarded tape cutting blade. That portion of one rib which is proximal to and situated between the slot and cutting blade is provided with an outwardly opening tape threading and holding groove. The portion of the tape between the slot and blade is guidingly passed through the groove and facilitates piloting the terminal end toward the blade. The tape beyond the blade is severed and used and the tape between the blade and slot and guiding groove is accessible for controllable use.

United States Patent 1 Runckel July 17, 1973 DENTAL FLOSS DISPENSINGCASE [75] Inventor: John L. Runckel, Lake Oswego,

Oreg.

[22] Filed: Apr. 1, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 130,392

[52] US. Cl 225/19, 225/45, 225/56, 225/80, D9/216 [51] Int. Cl 82613/02[58] Field of Search 225/44, 45, 47, 19,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,664,194 12/1953 Sharp225/44 2,806,660 9/1957 Marcoff-Moghadan 225/88 X D] 15,559 10/1949Tillmann D9/2l6 3,525,462 8/1970 Freedman.... 225/44 X 2,370,699 3/1945Warren 225/88 X 3,246,815 4/1966 Aronsen 225/44 3,480,190 11/1969Freedman 225/448 Primary Examiner-Andrew R. Juhasz AssistantExaminer-Leon Gilden Attorney-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B.

Jacobson 57 ABSTRACT A storing and dispensing pocket-type case for aroll of withdrawable dental tape. The case is hollow and embodies spacedparallel walls having outer marginal edges joined by an encircling rim.The outer peripheral surface of the rim is provided with first andsecond outstanding annular ribs. These ribs have inward edges spacedapart a prerequisite distance to define an intervening annular channelof requisite width and depth. A predetermined portion of the bottom ofthe channel is provided with a transverse dispensing slot through whichthe free withdrawable end of the tape is accessible. At acircumferentially spaced point a clip is confined in the channel and isprovided with a struck-out tongue. This tongue is nested within theconfines of the channel and provides a safeguarded tape cutting blade.That portion of one rib which is proximal to and situated between theslot and cutting blade is provided with an outwardly opening tapethreading and holding groove. The portion of the tape between the slotand blade is guidingly passed through the groove and facilitatespiloting the terminal end toward the blade. The tape beyond the blade issevered and used and the tape between the blade and slot and guidinggroove is accessible for controllable use.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Patented July 17, 1973 I 3,746,225

John L Runcke/ DENTAL FLOSS DISPENSING CASE This invention relates to aplastic or an equivalent enclosing and carrying case for a roll ofdental tapeand pertains, more particularly, to an ornamental pockettypeadaptation wherein the encompassing rim has selfcontained features whichfacilitate withdrawing and dispensing the free end of the tape, severingthe usable terminal portion, and controllably holding and guiding thatportion of the tape between the properly spaced dispensing and severingpoints.

Many and various types and forms of storing and dispensing cases forribbon and tape type dental floss have been devised and are in commonuse. Prior US. Pat. Nos. 2,929,541 of Mar. 22, 1960 and 3,525,462 ofAug. 25, 1970 may be regarded a generally indicative of the state of theart to which the present invention relates.

Briefly, the herein disclosed carrying case for dental tape comprises apair of companion separably connectible sections; a cup-like receiversection embodying a wall having an annular marginal flange constitutinga rim and providing a storing receptacle for the roll of tape, and acomplemental readily attachable and detachable cover section which alsohas a wall opposed to and spaced from the first wall and likewise has asurrounding annular marginal flange providing a rim. A portion of therim or flange of the receiver section has a dispensing slot by way ofwhich a free pull-responsive end portion of the dental tape can becaught hold of and progressively withdrawn for use. The cutting meansfor the withdrawable end portion of the tape is carried by theperipheral surface of the rim and is accessibly mounted on the rim andspaced from the slot a predetermined distance. Guiding and holding meansis also mounted on the rim portion and is located between the dispensingslot and the cutting means and serves to hold and guide the severableportion of the tape. The flange portions of the two sections areseparably and retentively connected together to permit access to be hadto the receptacle portion for the aforementioned roll of tape.

More specifically exterior peripheral surface portions of the over-allrim are provided with endless or annular ribs. The inward marginal edgesof the respective ribs are spaced apart to define an intervening channelwhich not only surrounds the case but is of prescribed depth. Theaforementioned cutting means is characterized by a clip having an outstruck tongue defining a cutting blade. The channel hascircumferentially spaced lugs therein adjacent the slot. These lugs areprovided with kerfs for reception and retention of the end portions ofthe clip. That part of one rib between the slot and clip is providedwith a tape offsetting, bypassing and guiding groove. The groovedportion serves not only as a holder for a portion of the tape butrenders the portion constantly accessible for ready access and use.

As will be hereinafter more fully appreciated, the exterior surfaceportions with respect to the encircling ribs are undulated. Theundulations are such as to define circumferentially spaced scallops, thescallops having intervening depressions or recesses which whileornamental are also useful in that the ribs can be securely gripped withthe fingers for separating the cover from the receiver and replacing aused roll of dental tape.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a dental floss dispensing caseconstructed in accordance with the invention and showing the samereadied for use.

FIG. 2 is a view in edge elevation on a slightly enlarged scaleobserving FIG. 1 in a direction from left to right with the tape omittedin a manner to emphasize the slot, cutting blade and tape guidinggroove.

FIG. 3 is a central vertical sectional view taken approximately on theplane of the section line 33 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of theindicating ar- I'OWS.

FIG. 4 is a view also in section detailing the clip, cuttin blade andmounting lugs therefor.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section taken on the plane ofthe horizontal section line 55 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of thearrows; and

FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of the receiver section of the sectionalcase showing the clip projected to one side and readied for placement inthe anchoring lugs.

By way of introduction to the description of the details it will beobserved that the case, considered as a unit, is of circular fonn as isgenerally evident from FIG. 1. It is preferably but not necessarily madeof moldable' plastic material of an acceptably usable grade. The plasticmaterials in use are colorful and substantially rigid. Also, thefinished marketable and usable case is ornamental but highly andfeasibly useful. It is also to be pointed out that it is within thepurview of the inventive concept to provide a one-piece throw away ordisposable case. Preferably, however, the case is made of separablereceiver and cover sections which are such that the roll of tape whenthe tape is used up can be replaced with a spare roll (not detailed).

The cup-like hollow receiver section is denoted (FIG. 6) by the numeral8 and is characterized by a flat faced disk-like wall 10 the outermargin of which is provided with lateral flange means 12 having anassembling endless edge portion 14. The flanged wall or disk constitutesa receptacle portion 16 for an insertable and removable spool or roll oftape comprising an appropriate spool 18 having a hub portion 20 andembodying heads confining the roll of dental tape 22. The aforementionedwall or disk 10 is provided with a hollow stub axle 24 on which the hub20 is mounted for free rotation as is evident in FIGS. 3 and 4 inparticular. It will also be evident from FIG. 6 that a dispensing notchor slot is provided in the flange'portion as indicated at 26, said notchopening through the lip portion 14 to facilitate threading the portion28 (FIG. 4) of the tape therethrough. The outer peripheral portion ofthe flange means is provided with a first endless or annularencompassing rib 30 and the peripheral surface of this rib projectsbeyond the surface of the flange where it is undulated with theundulations defining circumferentially spaced segmental scallops 32 andin-between depressions 34. These recessed scallops provide anantislipping grip and also render the over-all receiver section 8ornamental-With further reference to FIG. 6 it will be evident that itshows two circumferentially spaced integral lugs as at 36 and 38 andthat the confronting end portions of these lugs are provided with kerfs40 which serve as positioning and retaining anchors for the adjacent endportions of an insertable and removable metal cleat or clip 42. Thisclip when in position presents itself as illustrated in FIG. 4. Anintermediate portion of the clip is provided with a struckout tongue 44which constitutes a properly located and usable tape cutting blade. Itwill be noted in connection with the two lugs 36 and 38 that the scallop46 has an outer edge portion thereof provided with an open endedoutwardly opening tape fastening and guiding groove 48. This grooveoccupies the locale best illustrated in FIG. 2 where it is situated inrelation to the transverse slot 26 and the cutter blade 44 which isspaced circumferentially from the slot. The lug 36 is between the cutterblade and the slot 26 and the other lug 38 is properly andcircumferentially spaced therefrom. in practice an end portion of thetape is threaded through the groove 48 and beyond the open end where itis then laterally directed as at 50 where it can be piloted intoposition in relation to the cutting blade or tongue 44. That end portionof the tape which is to be severed and used is denoted by phantom linesas at 52 in F IG. 1. The complemental cap-like cover section for theopen side of the receiver section 8 is denoted in FIG. by the numeral 54and it too comprises a disk like-plate 56 which is spaced from the plateto cover the open side of the receiver. In addition, the flange meanshere is denoted at 58 (FIG. 5) and is surrounded by a second annular orendless rib 60 which in conjunction with the flange 58 provides a groovefor telescoping and assembling reception of the lip portion 14 of theafore-mentioned flange 12. Here again, the rib 60 also referred to as asecond rib, is of a form corresponding to the rib 30 in that it isundulated in the manner that the undulations define circumferentiailyspaced scallops 62 and intervening depressions or recesses 64. When thetwo sections 8 and 54 are properly lined up and the rim portions thereofsnapped together, the spool of dental floss is protectively housed orenclosed. Prior to applying the cap 54 the free end portion of the tapeis threaded through the notch or slot 26 for withdrawing and dispensingpurposes. A porion of the tape is pulled to one side and then threadedthrough the guiding goove 48 and the portion 50 is returned to andengaged releasably with the cutting blade 44 where it is ready for use.The portion 52 is cut and removed for use and the other portion is leftin place so that it is available for ready use.

It is to be noted that when the sections 8 and 54 are put together toassume the position and relationship illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5inclusive that portion of the rim or flange means between the ribsconstitutes a channel 66. It is in this channel that thecircumferentially spaced lugs 36 and 38 and the cutter blade arearranged. It is to be noted in this connection that by interrelating thedispensing notch or slot 26, the circumferentially spaced cutter bladeand the in-between grooved scallop 46, these several features combine inachieving an ideal and feasible result. The component 26 and groove 48function not only to guide the dental floss or tape into the cutter butalso allow for ease in starting a new piece of floss. The groove alsoenhances the purposes desired by holding the floss down as it is guidedinto the cutter whereby to maintain its proper position so that when theuser wants an additional piece of floss or tape it is readily available.The shape of the container, the scalloped ribs and slot, groove andcutter means insures that the cutter will be retained within the shallowconfines of the channel in such a manner as to prevent catching thecutter blade on the clothing or on purse linings when being carried in agarment pocket or purse as the case may be. This is regarded as a uniquefeature of the over-all spool containing and dispensing case. Thecomponent parts are individually unique and coordinate in a properlyoriented and combination sense to provide the dental floss container anddispenser desired.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An enclosing and carrying pocket-type case for a roll of withdrawabledental tape comprising: a cup-like receiver section embodying a wallhaving a complemental annular marginal flange constituting a rim and, inconjunction with said wall, providing a storing receptacle for said rollof tape, said rim having a tape inserting and dispensing slot which isopen at one end and by way of which a free pull-responsive end portionof the dental tape can be initially inserted and subsequently caughthold of and progressively withdrawn for use, cutting means for thewithdrawable end portion of the tape, said means being accessiblymounted on a peripheral surface of said rim and circumferentially spacedfrom said slot, tape guiding and holding means embodied in a pheripheralsurface of said rim and located in an offset position between (1) thedispensing slot and (2) said cutting means and serving to slidingly holdand guide the severable portion of the tape to said cutting means, andan attachable and detachable cover section also having a wall opposed toand spaced from said first wall and likewise having a surroundingannular marginal flange providing a rim and having an annular goove forcoordinating retentive reception of a coacting edge portion of saidfirst named flange.

2. The dental tape case defined in and according to claim 1, and whereinthe, exterior peripheral surface of said first named flange issurrounded by an encompassing outstanding finger gripping rib, and theexterior peripheral surface of the second named flange is likewisesurrounded by a similar outstanding and encompassing rib, the adjacentinward marginal and confronting edges of said ribs being spaced andproviding an intervening case-encircling channel, and said cutting meansbeing protectively nested within the confines of said channel.

3. The dental tape case defined in and according to claim 1, and whereinthe exterior surface of said first named flange is surrounded by anencompassing outstanding finger gripping rib, and the exterior surfaceof the second named flange is likewise surrounded by a similaroutstanding and encompassing rib, the adjacent inward marginal andconfronting edges of said ribs being spaced and providing an interveningcaseencircling channel, and said cutting means being protectively nestedwithin the confines of said channel, said cutting means comprising ananchored clip having a struck-out tongue, said tongue constituting acutting blade and said blade projecting into but terminating and beingpocketed within the channel in a manner that it minimizes the likelihoodof snagging when the case is being carried in a purse or in a garmentpocket.

4. The dental tape holding and dispensing case defined in and accordingto claim 2, and wherein the peripheral surfaces of said ribs areundulated, the undulations defining circumferentially spaced scallopsand intervening depressions, one of the scallops adjacent to andin-between said dispensing slot and cutting means having an outwardlyopening open-ended goove defining said guiding means and in which anoriented offset portion of the dental tape is slidingly threaded andguidingly held and readied for accessibly convenient use.

5. The dental tape holding and dispensing case defined in and accordingto claim 2, and wherein that portion of the first flange which isadjacent the dispensing slot is provided with a pair ofcircumferentially spaced lugs, said lugs being seated in and alignedwith the channel, the ends of said lugs which face each other havingkerfs providing keepers, said cutting means comprising a clip which issituated between the respective lugs, has its ends lodged and retainedin the respectively cooperable keepers and has a tongue struck-out andconstituting a tape holding and cutting blade.

6. The dental tape holding and dispensing case delined in and accordingto claim 5, and wherein the peripheral surfaces of said ribs areundulated, the undulations defining circumferentially spaced scallopsand intervening depressions, one of the scallops adjacent to andin-between said dispensing slot and cutting means having an outwardlyopening open-ended groove defining said guiding means and in which anoriented offset portion of the dental tape is slidingly threaded andguidingly held and readied for accessibly conventient use.

7. A pocket-type enclosing and carrying case for a roll of withdrawabledental tape comprising a hollow case embodying spaced walls marginallyjoined by an encompassing rim, the outer peripheral surface beingprovided with first and second outstanding and encompassing ribs, saidribs having inward encircling edges spaced apart and defining anintervening annular channel, a portion of said channel having adispensing slot for the free withdrawable end of said tape, also havinga circumferentially spaced clip which is confined in said channel andwhich is provided with a struck-out tongue, said tongue being wholly andprotectively nested within the confines of the channel and providing asafeguarded tape cutting blade, that portion of the first rib which isproximal to and is situated between the slot and cutting blade beingprovided with an outwardly opening tape threading, holding, and guidinggroove.

8. The case defined in and according to claim 7, and wherein theperipheral surfaces of said ribs are undulated, the undulations definingcircumferentially spaced segmental scallops and in-between depressions.

9. The case defined in and according to claim 8, and wherein said slotis open at one end in a manner to facilitate the step of initiallyinserting the tape for withdrawal and dispensing, and also wherein saidtape threading, holding and guiding groove is formed in one of saidscallops, said one scallop being located in a position between said slotand struck-out tongue.

1. An enclosing and carrying pocket-type case for a roll of withdrawabledental tape comprising: a cup-like receiver section embodying a wallhaving a complemental annular marginal flange constituting a rim and, inconjunction with said wall, providing a storing receptacle for said rollof tape, said rim having a tape inserting and dispensing slot which isopen at one end and by way of which a free pull-responsive end portionof the dental tape can be initially inserted and subsequently caughthold of and progressively withdrawn for use, cutting means for thewithdrawable end portion of the tape, said means being accessiblymounted on a peripheral surface of said rim and circumferentially spacedfrom said slot, tape guiding and holding means embodied in a pheripheralsurface of said rim and located in an offset position between (1) thedispensing slot and (2) said cutting means and serving to slidingly holdand guide the severable portion of the tape to said cutting means, andan attachable and detachable cover section also having a wall opposed toand spaced from said first wall and likewise having a surroundingannular marginal flange providing a rim and having an annular goove forcoordinating retentive reception of a coacting edge portion of saidfirst named flange.
 2. The dental tape case defined in and according toclaim 1, and wherein the exterior peripheral surface of said first namedflange is surrounded by an encompassing outstanding finger gripping rib,and the exterior peripheral surface of the second named flange islikewise surrounded by a similar outstanding and encompassing rib, theadjacent inward marginal and confronting edges of said ribs being spacedand providing an intervening case-encircling channel, and said cuttingmeans being protectively nested within the confines of said channel. 3.The dental tape case defined in and according to claim 1, and whereinthe exterior surface of said first named flange is surrounded by anencompassing outstanding finger gripping rib, and the exterior surfaceof the second named flange is likewise surrounded by a similaroutstanding and encompassing rib, the adjacent inward marginal andconfronting edges of said ribs being spaced and providing an interveningcase-encircling channel, and said cutting means being protectivelynested within the confines of said channel, said cutting meanscomprising an anchored clip having a struck-out tongue, said tongueconstituting a cutting blade and saiD blade projecting into butterminating and being pocketed within the channel in a manner that itminimizes the likelihood of snagging when the case is being carried in apurse or in a garment pocket.
 4. The dental tape holding and dispensingcase defined in and according to claim 2, and wherein the peripheralsurfaces of said ribs are undulated, the undulations definingcircumferentially spaced scallops and intervening depressions, one ofthe scallops adjacent to and in-between said dispensing slot and cuttingmeans having an outwardly opening open-ended goove defining said guidingmeans and in which an oriented offset portion of the dental tape isslidingly threaded and guidingly held and readied for accessiblyconvenient use.
 5. The dental tape holding and dispensing case definedin and according to claim 2, and wherein that portion of the firstflange which is adjacent the dispensing slot is provided with a pair ofcircumferentially spaced lugs, said lugs being seated in and alignedwith the channel, the ends of said lugs which face each other havingkerfs providing keepers, said cutting means comprising a clip which issituated between the respective lugs, has its ends lodged and retainedin the respectively cooperable keepers and has a tongue struck-out andconstituting a tape holding and cutting blade.
 6. The dental tapeholding and dispensing case defined in and according to claim 5, andwherein the peripheral surfaces of said ribs are undulated, theundulations defining circumferentially spaced scallops and interveningdepressions, one of the scallops adjacent to and in-between saiddispensing slot and cutting means having an outwardly opening open-endedgroove defining said guiding means and in which an oriented offsetportion of the dental tape is slidingly threaded and guidingly held andreadied for accessibly conventient use.
 7. A pocket-type enclosing andcarrying case for a roll of withdrawable dental tape comprising a hollowcase embodying spaced walls marginally joined by an encompassing rim,the outer peripheral surface being provided with first and secondoutstanding and encompassing ribs, said ribs having inward encirclingedges spaced apart and defining an intervening annular channel, aportion of said channel having a dispensing slot for the freewithdrawable end of said tape, also having a circumferentially spacedclip which is confined in said channel and which is provided with astruck-out tongue, said tongue being wholly and protectively nestedwithin the confines of the channel and providing a safeguarded tapecutting blade, that portion of the first rib which is proximal to and issituated between the slot and cutting blade being provided with anoutwardly opening tape threading, holding, and guiding groove.
 8. Thecase defined in and according to claim 7, and wherein the peripheralsurfaces of said ribs are undulated, the undulations definingcircumferentially spaced segmental scallops and in-between depressions.9. The case defined in and according to claim 8, and wherein said slotis open at one end in a manner to facilitate the step of initiallyinserting the tape for withdrawal and dispensing, and also wherein saidtape threading, holding and guiding groove is formed in one of saidscallops, said one scallop being located in a position between said slotand struck-out tongue.